Just like an “Oprah’s Favorite Things” show, the media mogul Oprah Winfrey, mixed motivational messages of self-discovery and “being your best self” with a gaggle of gifts and treated thousands of women in Atlanta to a day of thoughtful discourse. And most of Oprah’s expert friends and O magazine contributors were on hand to advise, affirm and answer women’s most pressing questions at the O! You day of seminars on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Opening session contributors included O columnist and the every woman BFF, Gayle King, O contributor Dr. Mehmet Oz, Emmy Award-winning television host and O columnist Suze Orman and New York Times best-selling author and O’s resident life coach Martha Beck. Prior to the event’s lunch break, political strategist Donna Brazile joined Beck and Ormon on stage for a discussion about finding and maximizing passion. Following the free lunch on the lawn of the GWCC — at which O writer Penny Wrenn moderated a series of discussions on a variety of topics including, finance, health and makeover — the rest of the O gang took to their respective stages. Magazine contributors and television personalities Nate Berkus of the “Nate Berkus Show,“ interior designer Peter Walsh and fitness expert Bob Green led the afternoon sessions.
Oprah Winfrey addressed O! You attendees in the closing session and quipped that the much talked about struggles of the OWN network was not a source of distress for her. “This network that everyone is talking about struggling — let me just tell you something, I’m doing a-right,” laughed Winfrey. Members of the audience applauded and nodded their approvals as Winfrey gave an hour-long address in which she discussed her Life Class web show, new platforms for self-development and encouraged women to celebrate themselves.
Attendees in the closing session received a reversible leather tote filled with L’OREAL Paris skin care and beauty products, Nature Made Vitamins, a miniature T-Fal nonstick egg pan and a Gurli natural fiber throw from Ikea. But the most sought after free giveaway of the day — Spanx Tight-End Tights. –roz edward
